Severe storms rolling through Midlands

Severe storms are currently moving across the Midlands with damaging winds, hail, lightning and brief heavy rain. These storms have a history of generating damage in South Carolina and Georgia.

According to National Weather Service reports, the thunderstorms have already downed trees in McCormick, Newberry, Saluda and Aiken Counties. Wind appears to be the main threat for tonight's storms which are tapping into an unstable atmosphere thanks to Friday's unseasonably hot weather.

The storms are moving at a fast pace, which means flooding is unlikely. The storms are capable of producing pea size hail as well.

The Storm Prediction Center has outlined the central and western Midlands under a Marginal Risk of severe thunderstorms.

Storms will continue to track east into the central and eastern Midlands through midnight.

If a warning is issued for your area, seek safe shelter immediately. Avoid windows and stay indoors. The safest area is an interior room away from windows that may shatter. Make sure that you have a way to receive watch and warning information from the NWS through a weather radio, weather app, or text alert service.

Storm Reports via the NWS and local law enforcement:

Wagener (Aiken County): Trees down on Interstate 26 at mile marker 65

Chappells (Newberry County): Tree in roadway at South Carolina 56 and Brehmer Road.